Talk to me about Evora S
Discussion
So they have caught my eye.....and are clearly loved by those in the know.
Done the 911 think and now on a Masser GTS. Lovely thing, but fancy a change.
Would appreciate thoughts on
Which model / year
Auto vs manual
Reliability
Servicing costs
Franchise / warranty views
Must have options
Other things to be aware of
Cheers
P
Done the 911 think and now on a Masser GTS. Lovely thing, but fancy a change.
Would appreciate thoughts on
Which model / year
Auto vs manual
Reliability
Servicing costs
Franchise / warranty views
Must have options
Other things to be aware of
Cheers
P
I considered an "S" but ended up with an N/A. Partly because I struggled to find an S in my spec/colour preference, plus running costs are lower.
But to answer your questions:
1. Later the better. Some changes in each year. If buying an early, make sure you get one with the later gear linkage fitted (2012 cables). It makes a big difference and is expensive to do (labour wise).
2. Try both. Biggest issue for me with the manual is the transmission noise, sounds like a grinding noise below 2500rpm especially in low gears. Its something they all suffer from, and it'll either grind your gears, or you eventually tune it out and it won't bother you. FWIW, if I was to buy another Evora it would be an auto without question.
3. Aside from some small quirks, they've proven to be very reliable, stories of being left stranded are very, very rare. It's a Lotus, so expect the occasional "oddity" but for me it's part of the charm.
4. Servicing is cheap, IMO, relatively speaking for what you get. Note, some Lotus-specific parts can be expensive and can take time to source.
5. I've never touched a Lotus dealer (well, once) - for me there are lots, and lots, of very good, well respected indies to bother.
6. Must have options are Tech and Sports pack. Premium pack is rarer but not essential IMO. The 2+2's seem to be more popular and (arguably) easier to sell as it gives more flexibility if you've got kids.
Other things? Clutch changes are about £2-3k, depending where you go. For any car over 50k+ that hasn't had it done, I'd budget for it - although you may be lucky.
All the S cars have the close-ratio box, and losing 3rd/4th/5th/6th gear isn't unknown, but still rare. Not cheap to fix. N/A cars with the original long box don't have this issue.
Considering the reliability, the fun factor, the looks, the complete lack of depreciation and its ability to smash motorways and B-roads in equal measure, they're fantastic cars. I believe they're well know for a very high "test drive to purchase ratio".
But to answer your questions:
1. Later the better. Some changes in each year. If buying an early, make sure you get one with the later gear linkage fitted (2012 cables). It makes a big difference and is expensive to do (labour wise).
2. Try both. Biggest issue for me with the manual is the transmission noise, sounds like a grinding noise below 2500rpm especially in low gears. Its something they all suffer from, and it'll either grind your gears, or you eventually tune it out and it won't bother you. FWIW, if I was to buy another Evora it would be an auto without question.
3. Aside from some small quirks, they've proven to be very reliable, stories of being left stranded are very, very rare. It's a Lotus, so expect the occasional "oddity" but for me it's part of the charm.
4. Servicing is cheap, IMO, relatively speaking for what you get. Note, some Lotus-specific parts can be expensive and can take time to source.
5. I've never touched a Lotus dealer (well, once) - for me there are lots, and lots, of very good, well respected indies to bother.
6. Must have options are Tech and Sports pack. Premium pack is rarer but not essential IMO. The 2+2's seem to be more popular and (arguably) easier to sell as it gives more flexibility if you've got kids.
Other things? Clutch changes are about £2-3k, depending where you go. For any car over 50k+ that hasn't had it done, I'd budget for it - although you may be lucky.
All the S cars have the close-ratio box, and losing 3rd/4th/5th/6th gear isn't unknown, but still rare. Not cheap to fix. N/A cars with the original long box don't have this issue.
Considering the reliability, the fun factor, the looks, the complete lack of depreciation and its ability to smash motorways and B-roads in equal measure, they're fantastic cars. I believe they're well know for a very high "test drive to purchase ratio".
Worth popping along to the next Herts meet and chatting to owners?
https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/forum/428-to...
You specifically looking for a series1 S?
Reliability very good. Front arb bushes tend to dry out and sound clunky. Usually a lube sorts things. Clutches on early cars have a (possibly inflated) rep for failing.
Manual lovers tend to like manual. IPS guys speak highly of them - although general opinion seems to be that the 400 IPS box is better.
I went for the later Sports Racer as they have all option packs fitted. Tech, Sports & Premium. (I think all S models had the Sports pack? ).
Several capable indies around keeping servicing costs down.
Epic cars.
https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/forum/428-to...
You specifically looking for a series1 S?
Reliability very good. Front arb bushes tend to dry out and sound clunky. Usually a lube sorts things. Clutches on early cars have a (possibly inflated) rep for failing.
Manual lovers tend to like manual. IPS guys speak highly of them - although general opinion seems to be that the 400 IPS box is better.
I went for the later Sports Racer as they have all option packs fitted. Tech, Sports & Premium. (I think all S models had the Sports pack? ).
Several capable indies around keeping servicing costs down.
Epic cars.
vanman1936 said:
Would appreciate thoughts on
Which model / year
Auto vs manual
Reliability
Servicing costs
Franchise / warranty views
Must have options
Other things to be aware of
Cheers
P
Which model / yearWhich model / year
Auto vs manual
Reliability
Servicing costs
Franchise / warranty views
Must have options
Other things to be aware of
Cheers
P
As the previous poster has stated, anything 2012 onwards will have had the common niggles sorted
Auto vs manual
For me, is has to be manual. Auto just wasn't even considered.
Reliability
Brilliant. Toyota engine which is somewhat understressed as the Evora is so light. Some niggles as you'd expect but the parts are incredibly cheap (not from Lotus) as they're largely from other marques (Jag mirrors, Ford key and switches, Vauxhall braking system etc)
Servicing costs
If you supply the parts yourself (not from Lotus!) it can be incredibly cheap. The spark plugs are from a Lexus and are about £9 each on eBay as opposed to £30+ each from Lotus.
Franchise / warranty views
I can't comment as when I got mine there was no warranty.
Must have options
Rear seats are an option but largely useless
Cruise control is also an option, there are various 'Packs' but their names and what's included currently escape me.
Other things to be aware of
They're very quiet, even with the option performance back box but can be 'remedied' by a straight through system which gives a nice burble if that's your thing.
Packs are:
Sports Pack - sport mode, drilled brake discs, different diffuser on S models
Tech Pack - parking sensors, cruise control, reversing camera (depending on year)
Premium pack - full leather, heated seats (year dependent), garage door opening, sub woofer, body colour door handles
Sports Racer - All of the above packs plus glosee black roof, mirrors, wheels, lower side skirts, lower front splitter,
S and Sports Racer also have bigger wheels
Sports Pack - sport mode, drilled brake discs, different diffuser on S models
Tech Pack - parking sensors, cruise control, reversing camera (depending on year)
Premium pack - full leather, heated seats (year dependent), garage door opening, sub woofer, body colour door handles
Sports Racer - All of the above packs plus glosee black roof, mirrors, wheels, lower side skirts, lower front splitter,
S and Sports Racer also have bigger wheels
vanman1936 said:
Cheers guys, great feedback.
Open on S1 / 2.
And if you are open to consider "S2" cars (everything from the 400 onwards) then it gets more complex. Obviously more powerful and therefore a bit quicker, easier to get into due to modified sills, but the interior is generally considered to be a bit of a cost-down exercise. (Dont flame me S2 guys). S2 loses the (weighty but otherwise close to perfection) Recaros for example.Open on S1 / 2.
mik_ok said:
Nobody could be offended by that Matt.
Well whatever it is, his toys are all over the floor. Back to the OP - I've just smashed 150 miles across A roads, B roads and motorways at 40mpg in comfort. Long gearing ftw. That 2bular sounds utter filth in thr tunnels too.
They're exceptionally flexible cars. It's a genuine shame they never made a convertible.
Gassing Station | Evora | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff